Senators send Zaitsev, picks to Chicago for future considerations

The Ottawa Senators have sent defenceman Nikita Zaitsev and two draft picks to Chicago in exchange for future considerations, the team announced Wednesday.

Ottawa is dealing Chicago its 2023 second-round pick and 2026 fourth-round selection.

Zaitsev signed a seven-year, $31.5 million US contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2017. However, he was traded to the Senators in 2019.

The 31-year-old defenceman has just one more year remaining on the contract.

He has five assists and eight penalty minutes in 28 games for Ottawa this season.

“We’re pleased to afford Nikita a fresh start,” said Senators general manager Pierre Dorion. “He’s a pro’s pro who showcased himself to be a caring teammate and quiet leader throughout his Sens tenure.

“We’re thankful for his time in Ottawa and wish he and his family the best in his next chapter.”

The Arizona Coyotes have traded defenceman Dysin Mayo to the Vegas Golden Knights for a 2023 fifth-round draft pick.

The Coyotes also acquired the contract of defenceman Shea Weber in the deal announced Wednesday.

Mayo had four goals and eight assists in 82 games over two seasons after being taken in the fifth round of the 2014 NHL draft by the Coyotes. The 26-year-old split time with Arizona and the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL this season.

Weber has not played since Game 5 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final with the Montreal Canadiens. He was one of the NHL’s best defencemen during 16 seasons with Nashville and Montreal, finishing with 224 goals and 365 assists.

Weber’s contract is through the 2025-26 season, but he is not expected to play again.